UI Law Graduate Triumphs Over Severe Anxiety to Earn First-Class Honors
Ayomide Oyedijo, a recent law graduate from the prestigious University of Ibadan, has become an inspiration to many after publicly sharing her emotional and academic journey. Despite battling severe anxiety throughout her studies, Oyedijo not only earned a first-class LL.B (Hons) degree but also significantly improved her cumulative grade point average in her final year.
Academic Achievement Amid Mental Health Challenges
The young graduate revealed that she entered first-class territory for the first time during her final year, elevating her CGPA from 3.43 to an impressive 3.57 out of 4.0. This remarkable improvement came despite what she described as a constant struggle with anxiety that persisted from the beginning of her legal education.
"I graduated with an LL.B (Hons), First Class from the University of Ibadan," Oyedijo wrote in a social media post that has since gone viral. "I went from a 3.43 CGPA to finishing with a 3.57/4.0, entering First Class for the first time in my final year. I battled severe anxiety, but I kept showing up."
Sharing Her Story and Career Aspirations
Oyedijo chose to share her story on social media platform X, accompanying her revelation with a photo of her final-year law project cover page. Her research paper was titled "Music Streaming and Royalty Protection in Nigeria: The Limits of the Copyright Act 2022."
In addition to discussing her academic journey, the graduate also opened up about her professional aspirations. She expressed particular interest in licensing, publishing, and rights management within the music business and entertainment law sectors, as well as intellectual property law.
"I am interested in licensing, publishing, and rights management within the Music Business and Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property (IP) Law space," she wrote. "I'm actively seeking opportunities, internships, or projects in these areas to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully."
Widespread Online Support and Recognition
The law graduate's candid revelation about her mental health struggles while achieving academic excellence has resonated deeply with social media users. Her post has attracted numerous comments praising her perseverance and celebrating her success.
One user commented: "Congrats, you left it late but got the job done." Another wrote: "A huge Congratulations to you Ayo. This is the stage I’m at right now….. battling with so much anxiety!" demonstrating how her story has connected with others facing similar challenges.
Additional supportive messages included:
- "Congratulations, you did so well. I’m so happy anxiety didn’t take everything from you."
- "This is huge. So happy you gave it the last fight. See you at the top."
- "This is an interesting topic. You should publish it on Academia or Research Gate."
Broader Context of Academic Excellence at UI
Oyedijo's achievement adds to a growing list of inspiring academic success stories from the University of Ibadan. Recently, another UI student, Wasiu Ajibola, celebrated graduating with first-class honors in Electrical and Electronic Engineering despite facing delays in his academic results.
Additionally, a University of Ibadan couple gained viral attention on social media after both partners graduated with first-class honors, further highlighting the institution's tradition of academic excellence and the determination of its students.
Ayomide Oyedijo's story serves as a powerful reminder that academic success and mental health challenges are not mutually exclusive. Her journey demonstrates that with persistence and commitment, students can overcome significant obstacles to achieve their educational goals while also bringing attention to the importance of mental health awareness in academic environments.
